Church group hopes to fund maintenance with bazaar

The annual holiday bazaar at St. Michael's Catholic Church may not be a huge event, but organizers say it is hugely important for the church.

"It's not a big to do, but it's our big to do," organizer Fran Davis said.

The 2005 Holiday Bazaar, hosted by the church's Altar and Rosary Club, is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Michael's, 678 School St. The event lasts until 2 p.m.

What: The Altar and Rosary Club at St. Michael's Church will host its annual holiday Bazaar

When: 9 a.m. Saturday

Where: St. Michael's Catholic Church, 678 School St.

Cost: Admission is free, but lunch costs $6 for adults and $3 for children

Money from the sale of crafts, baked goods and the silent auction is used to pay for a scholarship and numerous projects around the church.

Davis, who is the club's president, said the Altar and Rosary plans to pay for new kneelers with money raised at this year's bazaar. The club also wants to help insulate the church's stained-glass windows, Davis said.

Davis said she isn't sure how much the organization raised with last year's bazaar. But it was enough to pay for the scholarship as well as some improvements at the church.

"We got quite a bit done with the money we did raise," Davis said.

The bazaar is open to the public and free of charge, but the Mexican food lunch costs $6 for adults and $3 for children.

Davis said she isn't sure when the bazaar began, but it was before she joined Altar and Rosary 15 years ago.

The bazaar is the group's biggest fundraiser.

Altar and Rosary is the women's organization at St. Michael's.

Every woman who attends the church is technically a member, but Davis said there are about 50 women who are consistently active in the group.

Many of the women at the church have full-time jobs and can't be as active with the club as they would like, she said. But even people with jobs chip in when possible.

"The working women do what they can, and that's appreciated," she said.

Kandy Dilldine, who is in charge of the crafts at this year's bazaar, said all the candles, Christmas ornaments and wreaths are made by hand.

This will be the seventh bazaar in which Dilldine has participated.

She said she likes being able to meet new people and see what everyone has made.

"A big part of it is the socializing," she said.

Brandon Johansson can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 213, or bjohansson@craigdailypress.com.